10 Best Food Charities to Donate to for Giving Tuesday
Today is Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement created in 2012 that encourages people everywhere to give back to those who are in need. And this year, more families than ever find themselves in need of support as the COVID-19 pandemic and relentless natural disasters further worsened the worldwide hunger crisis.
In 2019, more than 820 million people didn't have enough to eat, and that number is growing. Below, you will find a list of organizations you can donate to right now to support those who are struggling to make ends meet.
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Feeding America
One of the largest hunger-relief organizations in the world, Feeding America brings meals to those in need through an extensive network of nationwide food banks. Every year, the program provides over 4.3 billion meals to those facing hunger. For Giving Tuesday, an anonymous donor provided a challenge match for the first $200,000 raised, which will account for over 2 million additional meals. Needless to say, your donation could go even further.
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Meals on Wheels
Today's average life expectancy is 79 years, and as technology advances, that number continues to grow. But this record-high lifespan means an increasing number of seniors are left behind and struggling with food insecurity. Not to mention, the elderly population has been especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are in need of more assistance than usual. Meals on Wheels provides healthy food options for seniors struggling to put food on the table safely and regularly. The organization reaches individuals in both their own homes as well as residents of senior centers. Consider donating to Meals on Wheels this Giving Tuesday to help increase funds this holiday season.
No Kid Hungry
Children's food insecurity has also been affected by the pandemic. As schools throughout the country pivoted to remote learning, many have lost their only reliable daily meal—the one they get at school. No Kid Hungry is working tirelessly to ensure that kids who depend on school meals don't go hungry in the months to come. Your donation will make an even bigger difference today, as Citi is matching all gifts up to $200,000 until midnight, Dec. 1.
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Frontline Foods
The main goal of Frontline Foods is to feed essential workers, such as healthcare workers and first responders who are treating COVID-19 patients, with food from local restaurants. In the short time they've been operating, the Frontline Foods team has already delivered over 550,000 meals. Not only do your donations help those working on the front lines of the pandemic, but they also work to help local restaurants stay afloat. This summer, the grassroots organization partnered with non-profit World Central Kitchen to increase their reach of those in need of a meal.
Your Local Food Pantry
Sometimes there's so much focus on the bigger hunger-relief organizations that you can forget about the significant impact you can have by donating to your local food bank. Not only are your monetary donations appreciated at this level, but oftentimes you can also donate canned goods and other food items directly to the pantry. Ample Harvest's database allows you to find all of the local food pantries near you by just typing in your zip code. Consider donating some canned goods or a few dollars to the food pantry serving your community.
The Hunger Project
Founded in 1977, The Hunger Project strives to end world hunger though public education and advocacy campaigns. The organization targets the global hunger issue at its roots: education and access to food. The focus of their work is in low- and middle-income countries in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. Consider donating to The Hunger Project this Giving Tuesday to help the organization lift up undernourished communities at the grassroots level.
World Central Kitchen
Chef José Andrés and his wife Patricia have been working to combat hunger and poverty after natural disasters (and this year, the pandemic) through their organization World Central Kitchen. On Giving Tuesday, consider donating to their charity as it provides over 30 million meals to people in more than 400 countries.
Food Recovery Network
Food Recovery Network empowers young people to take control of the future. This national nonprofit organization brings college and university students together around the common goal of fighting food waste and hunger. By allocating and donating perishable foods from their campuses, those involved with the Food Recovery Network are making a huge impact in their local communities.
The Okra Project
The Okra Project is a collective that seeks to address the global crisis faced by Black Trans people. The organization does this by bringing home-cooked, healthy, and culturally specific meals and resources to Black Trans People wherever they can reach them. Your donation will go toward paying chefs to go into the homes of Black Trans people, groceries in hand, and cook them healthy meals.
Slice Out Hunger
Who doesn't love pizza? Slice Out Hunger works with pizzerias across the country to raise money for American hunger relief initiatives. They put on events like the $1 Pizza Party, which has become an annual campaign that raises hundreds of dollars. Not to mention, they've recently launched a Pizza v. Pandemic initiative that delivers pizza to frontline workers. Slice Out Hunger is known for giving support and resources where they're needed most, whether that's on-the-ground after Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, or at homeless shelters throughout the coldest months of the year.
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